Antibacterial activity of ZnO nanoparticles on silica thin film for wastewater treatment

S Chanrawangyot, S Rattanachan, A Watcharenwong, T Fangsuwannarak

Abstract

Zinc Oxide nanoparticles on silica matrix thin films were prepared by the Sol-gel method and dip coating on ceramic tiles. In this study, EC (Ethyl cellulose) and TP (alpha-terpineol) used as a binder and a solvent in Sol-gel method, respectively, were studied on the characteristics of thin films. The thin films were dried and calcined at the temperature of 500, 600˚C soaking 30 minutes with the heating rate of 1˚C/minutes. The result of Glancing X-Ray Diffraction showed that thin films were ZnO phase on the amorphous phase of silica matrix. Scanning electron microscope showed the ZnO nanoparticles dispersed on thin films and affected on the concentration of EC and TP. The antibacterial activity test on Gram positive (Escherichia coli) and Gram negative (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria were evaluated that films have good photocatalytic process under day light, and also exhibited high photocatalytic activity under repeating for 3 times. As mentioned above, ZnO nanoparticles on thin film have antibacterial activity by using photocatalytic process and this suitable for wastewater treatment to be eco-friendly, low cost and easy for preparation.